The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos, has sentenced 10 pirates involved in the 2020 hijack of a merchant’s vessel, FV HAILUFENG II, to 10years imprisonment and a fine of N250,000 on each count.
The Nigerian Navy Spokesperson, Commodore Dahun Suleiman, said that the suspects were jailed, after being found guilty on a 3-Count charge, bothering on piracy in contravention of the provisions of Section 3, 10 and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.
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The defendants include Frank Abaka, Jude Eberagha, Shina Alolo and Joshua Iwiki.
Others are David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adeola Philip, Mathew Masi and Bright Agbedeyi.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Ayokunle Faji, said that piracy has been an embarrassment to the nation.
It has also impacted negatively on the economy.
The Court also stated that, the punishment for this act, must be proportionate to the offence committed by the convicts, to serve as deterrence to others.
The lead counsel, Labaran Magaji in his submission, said that the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminal elements, that Nigeria has zero-tolerance for maritime criminals.
He added that National Institutions like the Nigerian Navy, prosecuting agencies, and the security agencies, are ready to counter criminal activities using the judicial and lawful channels.
But counsel to the accused has indicated his readiness to appeal the judgment by insisting on the innocence of his clients.
The Nigerian Navy rescued 18 crew members onboard a Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG II from the pirates attack on the 15th of May, 2020, subsequent upon which the convicted persons were charged before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Edited by Tunde Orebiyi.
